Platform-gear



(No Modell) A A. H. BEACH.

PLATFORM GEAR. A No. 255,834. Patented Apr; 4,1882.

da". KM lxfzndarew wf/m Ma/W x Jizajf UNITED A STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER H. BEACH, OF LINDEN, ASSIGNOB TO THE BEACH PLATFORM GEAR COMPANY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

PLATFORM-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming `part of Letters Patent No.`""255,834, dated April 4, 1882.

' Application tiled December 1, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER H. BEACH, of Linden, in the county of Genesee and State of Michigan, have invented an Improvement in PIatfOrmGears, of which the following is a specification. p

The nature of this invention relates to certain new and novel improvementsin the construction of platform-gears or fifth-wheel platforms, and is especially designed as an improvement upon Letters Patent granted to me July 25, 1876, No. 180,316.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and various combinations of the parts, all as more fully hereinafter set forth.

Figure lis a top perspective. Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective. i

In the accompanying dlawings, which form a part of this specification, A represents the central bar, to the two edges of which are secured the futchells B B, which are bent outwardly, representing a letter Y, the outer ends being provided with suitable devices for securing them to the springs of a wagon.

C represents the fifth-wheel, rigidly secured to the top of the center bar, while it also rests upon the pperedges ofthe futchells, as shown, the king-bolt being designed to pass through the center bar at the center of the circle. Under each side of the futehells is a pendent post, d, Welded to the lower edge thereof, with an eye in the lovver end of each, through which pass the tie truss-rods D, whose ends pass through brackets b b, forged to the under side of the futchells near each end thereof, the ends of the said truss-rods being screw-threaded to receive screw-nuts, by means ot' which they are put under tension. futchells there is a strut, d', pendent from the central bar, the foot of said strut terminating in hooks or eyes e, through which pass the truss tie-rods D. The forward end of the central bar is extended forward and bifurcated, as shown, and at the frontend is connected with the ends of the futchells by means of the bar E, the ends of the center bar being further connected together by the strap F, thus form- At the angle of theV ing a socket for the reception of the end of a slip-tongue, While the opposite end of the bar 5o is provided with a suitable device for securing the platform to the cross-spring.

G is a. bifureated brace, tivo arms of which are secured to the under face of the central bar, while the outer or single arm is provided with an eye, which slips over the lower end of a draw-bolt, H, which is forged to the under side ot' the bar E, said bolt being threaded to receive the nut h, which secures the end of the brace to place.

The draft is applied by means of whiflietrees upon the draw-bolt H, as in the usuall manner.

To prevent side sway or depression of the circle I further strengthen it by means of the brace-rods 0, which extend from each side of the strut d, and are secured to the circle in any suitable and rigid manner.

By this construction I produce a platform which is light and comparativelyinexpensive, and yet capable of sustaining any weight 7o which may be imposed upon the vehicle of which it forms a part.

` What I claim as my invention isl. A tifth-wheel platform consisting ofa central bar, A, cross-bar E, and i'utchellsB B, sc- 75 cured at their ends to said central bar and cross-bar, in combination with the tie trussrods D, the brackets b, and the struts d, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In afth-Wheelplatform,thecombination, 3o with the central bar `A, the cross-bar E, the futchells B, and the tie truss-rods D, of the strut d', secured to the central bar, A, and provided With hooks e, the struts d, and the brackets b, substantially as and for the purpose specitied.

3. Inafifth-wheelplatform,thecombination, with the central bar, A, cross-bar E, futchells B, brace-rods D, struts d d', and the brackets b, of the circle C and the brace-rods o, secured 9o to said circle and to the strut d', substantially as and for the purpose specified. Y

ALEXANDER H. BEACH.

Witnesses:

H. S. SPEAGUE, CEAS. J. HUNT. 

